Hey gang, Valkor here. And so it begins, as December rolls around, we’re treated to cheesy (and sometimes awesome) Christmas carols, Christmas gifts, Christmas treats and of course Christmas movies. Every year sees a new batch of films in a wide assortment, but in the usual combo of romance/comedy/animated. So far I’ve reviewed Robin William’s ‘Merry Friggin’ Christmas” and the next film on tap comes from a popular internet meme to a household name in her small screen debut – Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever. And it looks to give “A Talking Cat!?!” a run at being worst movie ever.
Grumpy Cat, the little cat with the sour puss (pun intended) made famous in memes is starring in her own movie. While she’s not the sole focus, she helps to narrate the tale and keeps things following with her grumpy quips. The film starts with Grumpy (voiced by Aubrey Plaza), spending her days in a mall pet shop because she’s simply hard to adopt – no one wants a cat with a grumpy face right? However the film also puts the focus on Chrystal (Megan Charpentier), her mom is newly divorced and she’s having a tough time making new friends. Thanks to the enlightening words of a mall Santa, she makes a wish that she’d like to make new friend and lo and behold she can hear and talk to Grumpy Cat! Wow! *snort*
On the opposite side of things, a couple of thieves looking to make bank and kick off their rock star careers, are casing the mall for goods to steal. Initially they decide to rob a jewelry store but then they discover that a dog named JoJo, which is being kept at the same pet store as Grumpy, is worth way more. So they sneak in after hours to snatch it up.
But here’s what the thieves didn’t expect; after her initial discovery that she can talk to Grumpy, Chrystal decides to sneak back into the mall to chat with the cat. Only she and Grumpy get caught up in all of the thievery shenanigans, something like Home Alone… but in a mall… and not so many traps. So now it’s up to Chrystal (and Grumpy), to save JoJo from capture as well as save their own skins. And like any holiday movie, you know it’s going to end well for everyone so there’s no surprises right? Right!
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever is a Lifetime movie, which I’ll admit they’ve got me watching a few films here and there – especially the “Flowers in the Attic” films, which blows away that cheesy 80s films… but still just as cheesy in its own way. But at least the Grandmother is cool, however I’m not so hung up on Heather Graham as the mom… wait, what? Back to Grumpy Cat!
The Good:
Other than a few jokes, especially the one where Grumpy makes fun of the type of films Lifetime is used to showing… there really isn’t much else. Oh wait, I actually like the bad guys – Donny (Isaac Haig) and Zack (Evan Todd), they add just the right amount of chuckles to an otherwise dismal film.
The Bad:
Worst Christmas Ever? Try Worst Movie Ever… well one of the worst movies ever anyways. Kids might like it because it has Grumpy Cat, but adults will get annoyed super quick. The acting is beyond cheesy and the antics are just too silly - we're talking groan inducing silly. Plus Grumpy Cat, compared to similar movie cats, just doesn’t do cut it. For the most part, the cat just lays there and looks sour (of course that's its signature, but still...) and the voice-acting that goes with it… sheesh! No hate against Aubrey Plaza as she has an amazing list of credits, but I think a better someone better could have been chosen to perform the cat’s voice. If you want some serious laughs with Grumpy Cat, stick with the memes.
The Ugly:
Sitting through a scene where adults compare who has the ugliest sweater. UGH!!!
If you’re feeling bold and truly interested in this film, you can scan the Lifetime channel for when “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” will air next. Or you can pick up the DVD when it’s released on December 16th. But I can tell you right now it’s nothing special. And out of TOV 5 stars, I give the film a 1.
